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Common Core Standards researcher visits JCPS, Louisville

One of the nation's leading researchers in the design of the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts is visiting Jefferson County Public Schools this week to see how educators in Louisville have implemented the standards in their classrooms.

David Liben is a senior content specialist of the Literacy and English Language Arts team at Student Achievement Partners -- a non-profit organization with a goal of helping all students and teachers see their hard work lead to greater student achievement.

"We are discussing what is working well and how can we make that better and what's not working so well and how we can improve that," Liben said during his visit at Hazelwood.

Liben said he was also looking to discuss with teachers "frustrations" with the Common Core, asking them "which particular parts of the Common Core do you need to shore up in your school, both in terms of pedagogy and in terms of culture in the school throughout language arts and science and social studies?"

Liben’s visit to Louisville was made possible through a GE Foundation grant.

"There is room for improvement everywhere, there is no doubt about that. The standards are more rigorous and they are different," Liben said. "Based on the schools I have visited, there is less room for improvement here (in Louisville) than in many places I have been. There are schools around the country that have not even begun to think about the standards."

Liben said the JCPS schools he visited are not only embracing the important professional development that must come with Common Core instruction, but they are also "thinking deeply about what's working, what's not working and what can be done better."

Liben will take part in a professional-development opportunity with 150 of the district's principals on Thursday, using some of the information he collects from the school visits.

Superindent Donna Hargens said the district welcomes Liben's expertise.

"We are committed to making sure our kids master the more rigorous standards of the Common Core," she said. "We embrace and welcome the feedback -- this is a very valuable resource for us."